Explain why President Kennedy believed that keeping South Vietnam free from Communism was essential for the protection of the USA’s national interests. (12 marks)
Kennedy was committed to containment. This commitment led to two very clear perceptions. One was that containment would protect US economic and business interests on a global scale, and secondly that the US had a moral responsibility to use its economic power to protect democracy in the face of communist expansionism. Containment was central to US interests.
Vietnam was a key state in SE Asia and the Far East as a whole. Kennedy was committed to the domino theory and he was certain that it was a reality in Asia. Any expansion of communist influence in this region would challenge US interests.
Kennedy was aware of the spread of communism into China in 1949 and North Korea. He saw these as further examples of the validity of containment.
During the 50’s the Cold War escalated with developments in the Space race (Sputknik) Khrushchev’s forecast the triumph of communism just before Kennedy’s inauguration, stating “We will bury you”. Failures in Cuba (Bay of Pigs) meant that Kennedy had to be tough in order not to be seen as soft on communism.
Eisenhower warned Kennedy that the Republicans would not stand for “any retreat in SE Asia”.
Reinforce the US’s status as a credible cold war power and an international power. This in turn helped to protect the USA’s national interest.